# Is -2 real number, rational number, whole number, Integer, Irrational number?

Apr 23, 2018

Real: Yes
Rational: Yes
Whole: No
Integer: Yes
Irrational: No

#### Explanation:

Real number? Yes. We can plot this number on a number line, and can be used to show the value of something real.

Rational number? Yes. This number can be expressed as the ratio of two other numbers. For instance:

$- \frac{14}{7}$, $- \frac{10}{5}$, $- \frac{22}{11}$, $- \frac{156}{78} = - 2$

The above are all representations of $- 2$, thus it is rational.

Whole number? No. Whole numbers are $0 , 1 , 2 , 3$ etc, but not $- 1 , - 2 , - 3$, etc.

Integer? Yes. Going back to our definition of a whole number, integers are essentially the same thing. If we can divide two numbers with no remainder, the result is an integer. $- \frac{14}{7} = - 2$, so $- 2$ is an integer.

Irrational? No. Earlier, we said $- 2$ is a rational number because we can express it as a ratio of two whole numbers. $\pi$ is irrational because there are no two numbers you can divide and get exactly $3.141592654 \ldots$.

Hope this helps!